Multi-port chlorine generator

ABSTRACT

A chlorine treatment apparatus includes a housing with a cavity containing a chlorine generator for chlorinating a liquid such as water and at least three openings to the cavity. The chlorine generator may be an electrolytic cell. Some embodiments may include one or more plugs for closing the openings. The plugs may be keyed to operate with only certain of the openings. Yet other embodiments may include sensors for monitoring various aspects of the liquid such as temperature, salinity, flow rate, and chlorine concentration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to pool products, and moreparticularly to a generator for producing chlorine.

b. Background Art

Most residential and commercial pools and hot tubs suffer from thegrowth of mold and bacteria, or at least the possibility of such growth.Left unchecked, mold and bacteria may not only discolor the pool wateror the pool itself, but also pose a serious health hazard both toswimmers and people in proximity to the pool.

A common solution to inhibit mold and bacteria growth is to chlorinatewater in the pool. Typically, chlorination is accomplished by loadingwater intended for use in the pool with a chlorine salt. The water andassociated salt are passed through a chlorine generator. As the waterpasses through the generator, it may flow through or across a chargeddevice which electrolyzes the salts, releasing the chlorine into thewater.

However, most chlorine generators are relatively simple structurally andhave only two ports—one for water intake and one for water outflow.Although this may prove viable for many pool owners, oftentimes achlorine generator must be placed near a bend in piping, in crampedquarters, or in another area where the piping essentially prohibits (orrenders very difficult) installation.

Further, in certain cases it may be desirable to use a single chlorinegenerator to supply chlorinated water to two pools or hot tubs. If astandard two-port chlorine generator is used, a T-junction in the pipedownstream from the generator is also necessary.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved chlorinegenerator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention takes the form of an apparatusfor generating chlorine and includes a housing and first, second, andthird apertures. The housing defines a cavity, and each of the first,second, and third apertures are in fluid communication with the cavity.Another embodiment of an apparatus for generating chlorine includes ahousing, a chlorine generating apparatus, and first, second and thirdapertures. The housing includes a first housing segment attached to asecond housing segment. The first and second housing segments define acavity containing the chlorine generating apparatus, and the first,second, and third apertures are in fluid communication with the cavity.Yet another embodiment of an apparatus for generating chlorine includesa housing, a chlorine generating apparatus, at least three ports, and aplug. The housing defined a cavity, which contains the chlorinegenerating apparatus. Each port is in fluid communication with thecavity, and the plug is selectively operative with at least one of theports.

A method for manufacturing a chlorine generator includes providing firstand second housing segments, each defining a cavity. Electricalconnections associated with a chlorine generating apparatus are insertedthrough matching apertures defined in the first housing segment. Thechlorine generating apparatus is pivoted relative to the first housingsegment to substantially align a longitudinal axis of the chlorinegenerating apparatus with a longitudinal axis of the first housingsegment. The first and second housing segments are joined together tohouse the chlorine generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatusfor chlorinating a fluid.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,taken along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of various components of theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view indicating a method of insertingelectrical connections of a chlorine generator through holes in thehousing of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the first housing segmentdepicted in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of a portion of the cross-sectional viewof the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A depicts an exploded view of a second portion of thecross-sectional view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the secondhousing segment depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of a portion of the cross-sectional viewof the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 depicts an exploded perspective view of the chlorine generator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention takes the form of an apparatusfor chlorinating a fluid. The embodiment includes a housing having acavity. The cavity is in fluid communication with three ports defined onthe housing. A fluid enters the cavity through a first port and exitsthe cavity through a second port. The first port may be in fluidcommunication with a fluid source. The second port may be in fluidcommunication with an apparatus that uses or stores a chlorinated fluid.A plug may be operatively associated with the third port and preventfluid from entering or exiting the cavity through the third port. Theplug may be keyed so that it can be associated with only certain of thethree ports. As the fluid passes through the cavity, a chlorinegenerator contained within the cavity chlorinates the fluid. Thechlorine generator may require electricity, which can be supplied byoperatively associating the chlorine generator with an electrical powersource. The chlorinated fluid can be supplied to a pool, spa, or otherapparatus that uses or stores a chlorinated fluid. The fluidchlorinating apparatus may be used in spaces that have limitedconfiguration or installation space.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatusfor chlorinating a fluid 10. The embodiment includes a housing 15 havinga first, second, and third port. A first tailpiece 35 may be operativelyassociated with the housing 15 using a first nut 40, and secondtailpiece 45 may be operatively associated with the housing 15 using asecond nut 50 (e.g., by screwing the respective tailpieces 35, 45 to thehousing 15). The first and second tailpieces 35, 45 may each includeapertures for the passage of fluid, and may be adapted to be operativelyassociated with fluid conduits (not shown) such as pipes, tubes,channels, ducts, and so on (e.g., the tailpieces 35, 45 may be attachedeither removably or fixedly to a conduit). A third nut 55 may beoperatively associated with the housing 15. The housing 15, thetailpieces 35, 45, and the nuts 40, 50, 55 may be composed of metal,plastic, rubber, concrete, carbon composites, another suitable material,or some combination thereof. A power cord 60 may connect a power source(not shown) to a chlorine generator 65 contained within the housing 15and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, providing electrical power to the chlorinegenerator 65.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,taken along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus 10. The housing 15 mayinclude a first housing segment 70 and a second housing segment 75adapted to mate with one another. Interior surfaces 80, 85 of the firstand second housing segments 70, 75 define a cavity 90 inside the housing15. The cavity 90 may receive the chlorine generator 65, which mayinclude electrical connections 95 to connect to the power cord 60. Aswill be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 3, a terminaladapter 100 received within a recessed area of the first housing segment70 assists in preventing fluid from escaping the cavity 90 where theelectrical connections 95 extend out of the cavity 90 of the housing 15.

A first fluid aperture 105, defined by an interior surface 80 of thefirst housing segment 70, extends from the cavity 90 to a first port 110defined by a first end surface 115 of the first housing segment 70. Asecond fluid aperture 120, defined by an interior surface 85 of thesecond housing segment 75, extends from the cavity 90 to a second port125 defined by a first end surface 130 of the second housing segment 75.A third fluid aperture 135 (see FIG. 3), defined by an interior surface85 of the second housing segment 75, extends from the cavity 90 to athird port 140 defined by a second end surface 145 of the second housingsegment 75. The fluid apertures 105, 120, 135 enable fluid communicationbetween the ports 110, 125, 140 and the cavity 90. A fluid may bedelivered to and from the first and second ports 110, 125 of the housing15 via passages 150, 155 in the first and second tailpieces 35, 45. Asshown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the first and secondtailpieces 35, 45 may be selectively attached to the housing 15 usingthe first and second nuts 40, 50, respectively.

The first nut 40 may include a threaded portion adapted to engage amating threaded portion on an exterior surface 160 of the first housingsegment 70. The first nut 40 may also include a surface 165 adapted tobear against a lip 170 of the first tailpiece 35. An end surface 175 ofthe first tailpiece 35, which may be adapted to substantially match thefirst end surface 115 of the first housing segment 70, may be positionedadjacent to and in proximate contact with the first end surface 115 ofthe first housing segment 70, thereby substantially co-axially aligningthe passage 150 extending through the first tailpiece 35 and the firstport 110 in the housing 15. As the first nut 40 is threaded onto thefirst housing segment 70, the surface 165 of the first nut 40 bears onthe lip 170 of the first tailpiece 35, thereby pushing the end surface175 of the first tailpiece 35 against the first end surface 115 of thefirst housing segment 70 and functionally maintaining the alignment. Afirst seal element 180 may be positioned between the end surfaces 175,115 of the first tailpiece 35 and the first housing segment 70 toprevent fluid from leaking through the joint between the first housingsegment 70 and the first tailpiece 35. The end surface 175 of the firsttailpiece 35 may include a groove 185 adapted to receive the first sealelement 180, if present. In other embodiments, the first end surface 115of the first housing segment 70 (rather than the end surface 175 of thefirst tailpiece 35) may be adapted to receive the seal element 180, ifpresent. Alternatively, both end surfaces 115, 175 may be adapted toreceive the seal element 180, if present.

The second nut 50 may join the second housing segment 75 to the secondtailpiece 45 in the manner generally described above with respect to thefirst nut 40. Likewise, the third nut 55 may be structurally similar tothe first and second nuts 40, 50 and may mate with its respectivehousing segment in a similar manner. A plug 190 may be associated withone of the nuts, such as the second or third nut 50, 55.

The plug 190 may include sensors 195 for detecting desired informationconcerning the fluid flowing through chlorine generator 65, includingone or more the following: the temperature, salinity, chlorineconcentration, flow rate, or other characteristics of the fluid. Theplug 190 may also include an exterior first end surface 200 and anexterior side surface 205 adapted to be received within a fluid aperture(such as the third fluid aperture 135) of the housing 15. The exteriorfirst end surface 200 and a portion of the exterior side surface 205 mayextend beyond the sidewall 210 defining the third fluid aperture 135 ofthe housing 15 and into the cavity 90. In some embodiments, however,only the exterior first end surface 200 extends beyond the length of thethird fluid aperture 135, or neither the exterior first end surface 200nor any portion of the exterior side surface 205 extends beyond thelength of the third fluid aperture 135. The portion of the exterior sidesurface 205 contained within the third fluid aperture 135 may beadjacent to and in proximate contact with the sidewall 210 of the secondhousing segment 75, thereby substantially plugging the third fluidaperture 135 when the plug 190 is received within it. Substantiallyplugging the third fluid aperture 135 may prevent formation of astagnant fluid zone between the cavity 90 and the first exterior endsurface 200 of the plug 190 when the plug 190 is received within thethird fluid aperture 135. A stagnant fluid zone may permit chemicalby-products of the chlorine generating process, such as hydrogen andoxygen gas, to be trapped in the zone, thereby creating a potentiallyhazardous situation. It should be noted that the plug 190 may be placedinto the second fluid aperture 120 and kept therein with the second nut50 while the third fluid aperture 135 is connected to a tailpiece (e.g.,the second tailpiece 45) by the third nut 55.

The plug 190 may be keyed to prevent it from being placed in certainports. One exemplary keyed plug 190 is depicted in cross-section in FIG.2, placed in the third fluid aperture 135. As best shown in FIG. 3, theinterior surface 85 of the second housing segment 75, which defines thethird fluid aperture 135, may include one or more grooves 215. Turningback to FIG. 2, the exterior side surface 205 of the plug 190 mayinclude one or more bayonets 220 that mate with the grooves 215, therebypermitting the plug 190 to be received within the third fluid aperture135. The interior surface 85 defining the second fluid aperture 120 maybe grooved or keyed in a manner similar to the interior surface 85defining the third fluid aperture 135. Accordingly, the plug 190 mayalso be received within the second fluid aperture 120 of the housing 15.In contrast, the interior surface 80 of the first housing segment 70defining the first fluid aperture 105 may not contain grooves or otherkeying features. Further, the interior surface 80 of the first housingsegment 120 may have a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectionalarea of the plug 190 (either with or without the additionalcross-sectional area defined by the bayonets 220 extending from exteriorsurface 205 of the plug 190), thereby preventing the plug 190 from beingreceived within the first fluid aperture 105.

Generally, plugging the first fluid aperture 105 while leaving thesecond and third fluid apertures 120, 135 in fluid communication withthe cavity 90 may allow fluid to enter and exit the cavity 90 withoutpassing along the length of the chlorine generator 65. This may preventsufficient chlorine from being electrolyzed into the fluid streampassing through the depicted embodiment of the chlorine generator 65.Accordingly, keying the plug 190 so that it may associated only with thesecond and third fluid apertures 120, 135 helps to prevent inadvertentlyplugging the first fluid aperture 105 with the plug 190. Other methodsof keying the plug 190, other than the one described above, could beutilized. For example, the interior surface of the fluid aperture andthe exterior surface 205 of the plug 190 could be stepped, grooved, orthreaded. As another example, the plug 190 could have a ramped exteriorsurface 205 with certain of the fluid apertures of the housing 15adapted to receive such a plug 190.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plug 190 may be a substantially solid body.However, the plug 190, in some embodiments, may include a cavity, whichmay be defined by interior end and interior side surfaces of the plug190. A cavity within the plug 190 may allow the plug 190 tosubstantially fill a fluid aperture while reducing the amount ofmaterial used in the plug 190. Since the inner and outer side surfacesof the plug 190 may define a relatively thin side wall, plug 190 mayadapt to potential non-uniform dimensions of an interior surface of thefluid aperture and/or to form a relatively snug fit between the exteriorside surface of the plug 190 and an interior surface of the fluidaperture. The plug 190 may be composed of metal, plastic, rubber,concrete, carbon composites, or another suitable material, or somecombination thereof.

Operation of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 involves flowing a fluid(such as water) through the cavity 90 in the housing 15. The fluid flowsinto the cavity 90 through the passage defined by the first tailpiece 35and the first housing segment 70, and flows out of the cavity 90 throughthe passage defined by the second tailpiece 45 and the second housingsegment 75. It should be noted that this flow path may be reversed. Theplug 190, in this particular illustration, prevents fluid from enteringor exiting the cavity 90 through the third fluid aperture 135. As fluidflows in and out of the cavity 90, the fluid passes through and alongthe chlorine generator 65 (and particularly across the electrolyticplates of the generator 65, described below). This generates chlorine inthe fluid by electrolyzing chlorine salts contained within the fluid.Thus, the fluid may be chlorinated before it exits the cavity 90.

The aforementioned electrolysis may also generate by-products such ashydrogen and oxygen, since water may be electrolyzed along with thesalt. The chlorine salts contained within the fluid can be any saltcontaining chlorine, such as sodium chloride (NaCL) or others as knownto those skilled in the art. Chlorine salts may be selectively added tothe fluid prior to it entering the cavity 90.

Although fluid is described as flowing into the cavity 90 through thefirst fluid aperture 105 in the housing 15 and out of the cavity 90through second fluid aperture 120 of the housing 15, fluid could flow inthe opposite direction. In other words, fluid could flow into the cavity90 through the second fluid aperture 120 and out of the cavity 90through the first fluid aperture 105. Further, the plug 190 could beoperatively associated with the second fluid aperture 120 rather thanthe third fluid aperture 135, thereby allowing fluid to either flow intoor out of the cavity 90 through the third fluid aperture 135 whilepreventing fluid from flowing into or out of the cavity 90 through thesecond fluid aperture 120. Further, the plug 190 may be omitted. Forexample, fluid may flow into the cavity 90 through both the second andthird fluid apertures 120, 135 or out of the cavity 90 through bothfluid apertures 120, 135.

Although the embodiment in FIG. 2 depicts three ports 110, 125, 140 andthree fluid apertures 105, 120, 135 in fluid communication with thecavity 90, other embodiments of an apparatus for chlorinating a fluidcould have more than three ports and/or fluid apertures. For example,there could be five ports in the housing with three ports at one end andtwo at the opposite end. Each of the five ports could be associated witha fluid aperture that extends from the port to the cavity 90. In such anembodiment, three plugs could be provided with, two plugs being keyedfor placement in one or more of the three ports at the one end and oneplug being keyed for placement in at least one of the two ports at theother end. In some other embodiments, some or all of the ports may be indirect fluid communication with the cavity 90 rather than in fluidcommunication with the cavity 90 via a fluid aperture. In still otherembodiments, two or more of the ports may be in fluid communication withfluid apertures that combine to form a single fluid aperture thatextends to the cavity 90. Other combinations of ports, fluid apertures,and plugs, other than those described herein, are possible.

The tailpieces 35, 45 and the plug 190 are depicted in FIG. 2 as beingremovably connected to the housing 15 using nuts 40, 50, but othermethods of associating the tailpieces 35, 45 and plug 190 may be used.For illustrative purposes, some of the potential methods for associatinga tailpiece with the housing 15 will be described. Similar methods couldbe used for the plug 190. Further, these descriptions are merelyillustrative and are not intended to limit the ways to associatetailpieces and/or plugs with the housing 15. Rather than using a nut, asleeve could be used to operatively associate a tailpiece with thehousing 15. The sleeve could include an aperture adapted to have anexterior surface of the housing 15 and an exterior surface of atailpiece press fit into the aperture. As another example, the endportions of a tailpiece and the housing 15 could each include a flangedportion containing aligned apertures adapted to receive fasteners suchas bolts, rivets, screws, etc. These flanged ends could be brought intocontact and the fasteners received through the aligned apertures tooperatively associate the tailpiece with the housing. The plug 190and/or tailpiece may be compression-fitted to a port in the housing 15.Additional alternatives will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art upon reading this disclosure and accordingly are embracedherein.

Alternatively, rather than using a nut or other component to operativelyassociate a tailpiece with the housing 15, the tailpiece could bedirectly attached to the housing 15. For example, an end portion of atailpiece could be adapted receive an exterior surface of the housing 15within an aperture in the tailpiece. Further, the end portion of thetailpiece could have threads on an interior surface matching threads onthe exterior surface of the housing 15, thereby enabling the receivedhousing 15 section to be threadedly associated with the tailpiece.Alternatively, the end portion of a tailpiece could be adapted to bereceived within the fluid aperture defined by an interior surface of thehousing 15. Further, the end portion of the tailpiece could have threadson an exterior surface matching threads on the interior surface of thehousing 15, thereby enabling the received tailpiece to be threadedlyassociated with the port section. The threading may also be reversed,such that the housing has exterior threads and the tailpiece interiorthreads. Rather than using threads to directly operatively associate atailpiece with the housing 15, the tailpiece could be adapted to bepress-fitted either into a fluid aperture defined by an interior surfaceof the housing 15 or onto an exterior surface of the housing 15.Directly associating the tailpiece with the housing 15 could also bedone by providing in the end surface of the tailpiece a groove adaptedto receive a bayonet in the end surface of the housing 15, or viceversa. An adhesive such as a glue, epoxy, meltable o-ring, etc. could bereceived within the groove or between the contacted end surfaces of thehousing 15 and the tailpiece to directly associate the tailpiece withthe housing 15.

Although the apparatus for chlorinating fluid has been described asusing tailpieces 35, 45 to deliver fluid to and from the ports 110, 125,140 of the housing 15, fluid can be delivered without using one or moreof the tailpieces 35, 45. Other fluid conduits that deliver water to andfrom the housing 15 (e.g., a pipe, tube, duct, channel, etc.) could beattached, affixed to, or otherwise associated directly with the housing15 rather than being associated with the tailpieces 35, 45. When notusing a tailpiece 35 to connect a fluid conduit with the housing 15, thefluid conduit may be connected with the housing 15 using methods similarto those herein described for connecting the tailpieces 35, 45 to thehousing 15. For example, the fluid conduit could be connected with thehousing 15 using a nut, a sleeve, or other component, or could beattached without using other components.

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of various components of theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The components of the embodimentmay include the first housing segment 70, the second housing segment 75,the chlorine generator 65, one or more seal elements 180, 300, 305, abond element 310, the adapter terminal 100, the plug 190, nuts 40, 50,55, and one or more tailpieces 35, 45. The first and second housingsegments 70, 75 may be separate in order to receive the chlorinegenerator 65 within the interior cavity 90 during assembly of theembodiment. A recessed surface 315 of the first housing segment 70 mayinclude one or more apertures 320 a-c that may receive the one or moreelectrical connections 95 a-c. In the present embodiment, threeapertures 320 a-c receive three electrical connections 95 a-c. One ormore walls 325 a-b may extend from the recessed surface 315. These walls325 a-b may have interior surfaces defining fastener apertures operativeto receive fasteners 330 a-b such as a screws, bolts, rivets, or otherfastening components. One or more of these fastener apertures may bethreaded to mate with threaded fasteners.

The chlorine generator 65 may include a body defined by two bodysegments 340, 345. Each body segment 340, 345 may be generally clamshellshaped to form a generally elongated cube shape for the body of thechlorine generator 65 when joined. The longitudinal axis of the chlorinegenerator's 65 body may be generally parallel to the longitudinal axisof the cavity 90 and housing 15 when the chlorine generator 65 isreceived within the housing 15 after assembly, as described below. Thechlorine generator 65 may include one or more plates 350 a-n, which maybe fitted within the joined body segments 340, 345 of the chlorinegenerator 65. The plates 350 a-n may be electrically charged (via thepower cord 60 and electrical connections 95 a-c) to electrolyze achlorine salt suspended in the fluid flowing through the cavity 90 ofthe housing 15, as described above. The electrical connections 95 a-cmay extend from an end of the chlorine generator 65. Assembly of thechlorine generator 65 is described in more detail with respect to FIG.9, below.

The terminal adapter 100 may include one or more circular protrusions355 a-c extending from a first surface 360 of the terminal adapter 100.Each protrusion 355 a-c may include an interior surface defining anelectrical connection aperture to receive an electrical connection 95 ofthe chlorine generator 65. These electrical connection apertures may beco-axially aligned with an electrical connection hole that extends fromthe first surface 360 to an opposing second surface of the terminaladapter 100. The second surface of the terminal adapter 100 mayapproximately match the recessed surface 315 of the housing 15. Theterminal adapter 100 may include a pair of fastener apertures forreceiving fasteners 330 a-b to join the terminal adapter 100 to thehousing 15.

The plug 190 may have a generally cylindrical side wall 205. A lip 375extending from the side wall 205 may also be generally cylindrical. Thefirst end surface 200 (see FIG. 2) and a second end surface 380 may begenerally circular. Likewise, the first, second, and third nut 40, 50,55 may have generally cylindrical bodies. The apertures defined by thebodies of the first, second, and third nut 40, 50, 55 may be generallycylindrical and adapted to generally mate with the first or secondhousing segment 70, 75 as described above.

The tailpieces 35, 45 may have generally cylindrical bodies. Lipsextending from the exterior surfaces of the tailpieces 35, 45 may alsogenerally cylindrical. As shown in FIG. 3, the seal elements 180, 300seated within each tailpiece 35, 45 may be O-rings. Seal elements 180,300, 305 may be composed of rubber or any other material capable offorming a watertight seal between the two connected elements.

To assemble the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the electricalconnections 95 a-c of the chlorine generator 65 may be inserted throughcorresponding apertures 320 a-c defined in the recessed area 315 of thefirst housing segment 70 prior to joining the first and second housingsegments 70, 75. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical connections 95 a-cmay be inserted at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of thefirst housing segment 70. As the electrical connections 95 a-c arefurther inserted through the apertures 320 a-c, the body of the chlorinegenerator 65 may be pivoted such that the longitudinal axes of theelectrical connections 95 a-c may become generally transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the cavity 90 and first housing segment 70. Theelectrical connections 95 a-c may continue to be inserted through theircorresponding apertures 320 a-c until the body of the chlorine generator65 contacts or approximately contacts the interior surface 80 of thefirst housing segment 70 as depicted in FIG. 2. A step 390 may be formedin the interior sidewall of the first housing segment 70 to facilitatepositioning the chlorine generator 65 within the cavity 90. The chlorinegenerator 65 may be tilted into the first housing segment 70 until anupper corner of the generator 65 seats within the aforementioned step390 in the first housing segment 79. When the second housing segment 75is fitted to the first housing element 70, grooves 400 a-b (see FIG. 7)defined in the second housing segment 75 may accept corners of thechlorine generator 65.

Turning back to FIG. 3, electrical seal elements 425 a-f may be receivedon the electrical connections 95 a-c through apertures defined by thebodies of the electrical seal elements 425 a-f. The second surface ofthe terminal adapter 100 (i.e., the surface opposite the first surface360 of the terminal adapter 100) may be brought into contact with therecessed surface 315 of the first housing segment 70 by receiving theelectrical connections 95 a-c through corresponding apertures in theterminal adapter 100. Fasteners 330 a-b may be inserted through theholes in the terminal adapter 100 and threadedly received within theholes defined by the walls 325 a-b extending from the recessed surface315 of the housing 15. As the fasteners 330 a-b are tightened, thesecond end surface of the terminal adapter 100 may be pressed againstthe recessed surface 315, thereby compressing the electrical sealelements 425 a-f between the second surface and the recessed surface315. Compression of the electrical seal elements 425 a-f between thesecond end surface and the recessed surface 315 may facilitate awatertight seal between the joint formed between the terminal adapter100 and the first housing segment 70, which may help to prevent fluidfrom leaking out of the housing 15. The electrical seal elements 425 a-fmay be composed of rubber or any other material capable of forming awatertight seal between the two connected elements.

The first and second housing segments 70, 75 may be joined together.Prior to joining, the bonding element 310 may be placed between joinedend surfaces of the first and second housing segments 70, 75. In thedepicted embodiment, the bonding element 310 may be an O-ring, which maybe received within a groove 430 (see FIG. 7) in the second housingsegment 75. As the first and second housing segments 70, 75 are joined,an annular projection 435 (see FIG. 5) on the first housing segment 70may be received within the groove 430 of the second housing segment 75,which may contain the bonding element 310. The bonding element 310 maybe composed of a material that melts when exposed to a specific heat. Inone embodiment, the bonding element 310 is made of a polymer containingmagnetic particles, which melt the polymer by absorbing energy whenexposed to an energy field such as a RF field and radiating it in theform of heat to melt the polymer. Melting the bonding element 310 willseal the first housing segment 70 to the second housing segment 75. Itshould be noted that the seal so formed may be watertight. Although ameltable bonding element 310 may be used both to seal and join the firstand second housing segments 70, 75, other methods of sealing and joiningthe first and second housing segments 70, 75 may be utilized. Forexample, an O-ring similar to that described above for the seal elements180, 300, 305 may be used to seal the housing segments 70, 75.Alternatively, an epoxy, glue, or other adhesive may be used to jointogether the first and second housing segments 70, 75. As yet anotheroption, the housing segments 70, 75 may be sonically welded orheat-welded to one another directly.

The seal elements 180, 300, 305 may be placed in grooves located eitherthe tailpieces 35, 45, plugs 190, or housing segments 70, 75 asdescribed above, and the tailpieces 35, 45 and plugs 190 may beconnected to the first and second housing segments 70, 75 using the nuts40, 50, 55 as described above. The power cord 60 may be connected to theelectrical connections 95 a-c to supply power to the electrolytic plates350 a-n within the chlorine generator 65, thus permitting formation ofchlorine within the fluid as described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the first housing segment 70depicted in FIGS. 1-3. A portion of the interior surface 80 may definean interior, first cavity segment to receive a portion of the chlorinegenerator 65. Near the recessed surface 315, the interior side wall 80of the first housing segment 75 may form a step 390, thereby slightlyincreasing the size of the cavity proximate the recessed surface 315 toreceive the body of the chlorine generator 65. The longitudinal axis ofthe first fluid aperture 105 may be generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the cavity 90 as depicted in FIG. 5, or may betransverse to the longitudinal axis. A second end surface 440 (i.e, astep on the first housing segment 70's exterior and vertical to thelongitudinal axis, represented by dashed lines in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A) ofthe first housing segment 70 forms an annular surface that may includean annular projection 435 extending there from and adapted to bereceived within the groove 430 (see FIG. 7) of the second housingsegment 75. When viewed from a side elevation (as shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 5), the annular projection 435 forms aninclined, upwardly sloping line from the bottom side of the firsthousing segment 70 to the top side of the first housing segment 70.

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of a portion of the cross-sectional viewof the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5. The exploded view depicts therecessed surface 315 and an electrical connection aperture 320 a. A pairof generally parallel side walls 445, 450 extending from the recessedsurface 315 define a recessed area. FIG. 6 a depicts an exploded view ofanother portion of the cross-section view of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 5. This exploded view depicts the annular projection 435 extendingfrom the second end surface 440 of the first housing segment 70.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the secondhousing segment 75 depicted in FIGS. 1-3. A portion of the interiorsurface 85 of the second housing segment 75 may define a second cavitysegment adapted to receive a portion of the chlorine generator 65. (Whenthe first and second housing segments 70, 75 mate, the first and secondcavity segments form the aforementioned cavity 90.) The longitudinalaxis of the second fluid aperture 120 may be generally transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the cavity 90 as depicted in FIG. 7. Thelongitudinal axis of the third fluid aperture 135 may be generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 90 as depicted in FIG.7. The third end surface 455 of the second housing segment 75 may form apartial annular surface, which may include the groove 430, with inclinedgroove bottom 431, adapted to receive the bond member 310 and theannular projection 435 of the first housing segment 70. This third endsurface 455 is generally flat and round in end view. From a sideelevation view, the groove bottom 431 generally angles towards the thirdfluid aperture 135 from the bottom to the top of the second housingsegment 75. When the two housing segments 70, 75 are joined, the thirdend surface 455 of the second housing segment 75 generally abuts thesecond end surface 440, on the exterior of the first housing segment 70.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of a portion of the cross-sectional viewof the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7. The exploded view depicts an upperportion of the third end surface 445 and the groove 430 adapted toreceive the annular projection 435 of the first housing segment 70.

Although the housing 15 has been described with reference to FIGS. 2-8as having two segments 70, 75, in some embodiments the housing 15 may becomposed of three or more segments or pieces that when joined define acavity for containing the chlorine generator 65 and ports in fluidcommunication with the cavity.

FIG. 9 depicts an exploded perspective view of the chlorine generator65. The chlorine generator 65 may include a first body segment 340, asecond body segment 345, and one or more electrolytic plates 350 a-n.Each body segment 340, 345 may include a pair of opposing side walls 460a-b, 465 a-b. L-shaped tabs 470 a-d may extend from the side walls 460a-b, 465 a-b. The L-shaped tabs 470 a-d may be flexible and may help tomaintain the relationship between the two body segments 340, 345 whenthe two body segments 340, 345 are joined. Joining the side walls 460a-b of the first body segment 340 is a third wall. Extending from thethird wall are one or more optional projections defining groovesoperative to receive the plates 350 a-n. An end wall 480 may separatethe pair of opposing side walls 460 a-b. The end wall 480 may one ormore openings to allow fluid to flow through the end wall 480. Thesecond body segment 345 is similar to the first body segment 340. One ormore openings 346 may be formed in the third wall of a body segment 345to allow fluid to flow through the body segment and across the plates350 a-n. Although the body segments 340, 345 are depicted assubstantially identical, they may in some embodiments not be identical.For example, the may be designed so that they appear to be mirror imageof each other or so that appear to be split asymmetrically, whileretaining the general overall shape of the chlorine generator 65 whenjoined. Certain of the of the plates 350 a-n may include an electricalconnection 95 a attached to and extending from the plate.

To assemble the chlorine generator 65, the plates 350 a-n may beinserted into the grooves of one of the body segments 340, 345. Theplates 350 a-n that include electrical connections 95 a-c may beinserted into grooves that generally align with the apertures in thethird wall of the first body segment 340. The electrical connections 95a-c may be inserted through the apertures. The grooves of the secondbody segment 345 may be aligned with the plates 350 a-n received withinthe first body segment 340 so that the first and second body segments345 may be slid together. As the side walls 460 a-b, 465 a-b of thefirst and second body segments 340, 345 approach the end walls 480, 485of the other body segment, the flexible L-shaped tabs 470 a-d may bepushed apart. When the extended portion of the flexible L-shaped tabs470 a-d clear the end walls 480-485, the L-shaped tabs 470 a-d mayreturn towards their initial position and engage the end wall of theother body segment. The engagement of the L-shaped tabs 470 a-d with theend walls 480, 485 may prevent the first and second body segments 340,345 from sliding apart once joined.

All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left,right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical,horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used foridentification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of theembodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations,particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the inventionunless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g.,attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construedbroadly and may include intermediate members between a connection ofelements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinderreferences do not necessarily infer that two elements are directlyconnected and in fixed relation to each other.

In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends”having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with anotherpart. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the presentinvention is not limited to components which terminate immediatelybeyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end”should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent,rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particularelement, link, component, part, member or the like. In methodologiesdirectly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operationsare described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled inthe art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged,replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. It is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes indetail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for generating chlorine, comprising: a housing defininga cavity; a first aperture defined on the housing; a second aperturedefined on the housing; a third aperture defined on the housing; whereineach of the first, second, and third apertures is in fluid communicationwith the cavity.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity isoperative to receive a chlorine generating apparatus.
 3. An apparatusfor generating chlorine, comprising: a housing comprising a firsthousing element and a second housing element attached to the firsthousing element; a chlorine generating apparatus; a first aperturedefined on the housing; a second aperture defined on the housing; athird aperture defined on the housing; wherein each of the first,second, and third apertures is in fluid communication with the cavity;and the first and second housing elements together define a cavitycontaining the chlorine generating apparatus.
 4. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the first housing element and the second housing element arejoined an inclined line.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein thechlorine generating apparatus comprises an electrolytic cell.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein: the chlorine generating apparatuscomprises: a body including a first body element and a second bodyelement; and a plurality of plates.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3, furthercomprising a sealing member operative to seal the first and secondhousing elements together.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein thesealing member comprises a meltable O-ring.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3,further comprising a sensor operative to measure a value within thecavity.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a groovedefined in the first housing element operative to receive a matchingannular projection defined in the second housing element when the firstand second housing elements are joined.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the groove is further operative to receive a sealing member. 12.The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of electricalconnections associated with the chlorine generating apparatus.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of aperturesdefined on the housing and operative to receive the plurality ofelectrical connections.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the firsthousing element and the second housing element are joined proximate theplurality of apertures.
 15. An apparatus for generating chlorine,comprising: a housing defining a cavity a chlorine generating apparatuswithin the cavity; at least three ports defined on the housing and influid communication with the cavity; and a plug selectively operativewith at least one of the at least three ports.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein when the plug is operative with one of the at leastone of the at least three ports, the plug substantially prevents fluidcommunication between the one of the at least one of the at least threeports and the cavity.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the plugcomprises a key; and the at least one of the at least three portscomprises a key receptacle operative to receive the key.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the plug is operative with only two ofthe at least three ports.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, furthercomprising a sensor operative to measure a value within the cavity. 20.The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the value is a fluid flow through thecavity.
 21. A method for manufacturing a chlorine generator, comprising:providing a first housing segment defining a first cavity within aninterior of the first housing segment; providing a second housingsegment defining a second cavity within an interior of the secondhousing segment; inserting a plurality of electrical connectionsassociated with a chlorine generating apparatus through a matchingplurality of apertures defined in the first housing segment; pivotingthe chlorine generating apparatus relative to the first housing segmentto substantially align a longitudinal axis of the chlorine generatingapparatus with a longitudinal axis of the first housing segment; andjoining the first housing segment to the second housing segment.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising placing a sealing member betweenthe first housing segment and the second housing segment.
 23. The methodof claim 22, further comprising melting the sealing member to sealtogether the first housing segment and the segment housing segment.